The Olympic Coast

Part of the first day of our trip to the Olympic Peninsula and the whole of the second day was spent along the coast.  After leaving the Hoh Rainforest we drove a bit further south to Ruby Beach, part of Olympic National Park and one of the wonderful beaches along the coast.  We had our evening meal there and watched the sunset before heading back north to the town of Forks where we spent the night.

Ruby Beach

(the last picture is from a 2003 trip to the Olympics)

Beach Strawberry

Ruby Beach Sunset

(the last three pictures are from our 2003 trip to the Olympics)

After an early breakfast the next morning we drove west from Forks to the coast and hiked the trail to Third Beach after a brief visit to the town of La Push on the Quilete Reservation.  After spending a quiet morning at Third Beach exploring and taking photos we went to Cape Flattery on the Makah Reservation (not a part of the national park).  Cape Flattery is the northwesternmost point of the lower 48 states.

La Push, Washington

Trail to Third Beach

Red-banded Polypores

Common Horsetail

Third Beach

 Anemones, Mussels and Barnacles

Beaver Falls

(along the Burnt Mountain Road, Highway 113)

Clallam Bay

Skunk Cabbage

 Cormorant

At Cape Flattery we hiked to overlook from which Vancouver Island on the other side of the Straits of San Juan is visible, as well as Tatoosh Island with its lighthouse.  Finished at Cape Flattery we meandered east along the coast, stopping occasionally for pictures and ending up at the town of Port Angeles where we had our evening meal and spent another night (we sleep comfortably in the back of our van when we are traveling).

Cape Flattery

Tatoosh Island and Cape Flattery Lighthouse

Vancouver Island

 Lichens